Abstract [en]

Undesirable effects from pesticides have been noted not only in Sweden but also all over the world where chemical agents are used without any restriction. Raw water is a raw material for drinking water. In Sweden raw water originates from both surface and groundwater; results of water surveys in Sweden have shown that different pesticides are present both in raw and drinking water. This study presents the concentrations of pesticides in raw and drinking water in Sweden and the study has shown that there are significant differences in the proportions of samples with pesticides between raw and drinking water. The results also show that the highest proportion of samples with pesticide residues in drinking water (30.43%) was registered in the County of Blekinge. The highest proportion of samples with pesticide residues in raw water (42.30%) was registered in the County of Gävleborg. For surface and groundwater, the results show that at least one pesticide (active substance) has been found in all samples in surface and groundwater in Sweden in 2015.

Some prohibited substances were found in groundwater even though they were banned more than 20 years ago. Prohibited substances were also detected in water operations.

Most of pesticides in Sweden are used by industry; herbicides are mainly used in agriculture while households use mostly moss pesticides.

The study shows that there are high concentrations of pesticides in raw water in Sweden. Some prohibited substances were detected in surface water, groundwater and water operations.